The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 23, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

A special gift makes a boy a local celebrity. In his small French village, young Max waits anxiously for his favorite uncle, Bill, to arrive for Max’s birthday party. Bill, a botanist by trade, pulls up in his big yellow bus and, after a hug, gives Max a big bag of various flower seeds to scatter. Max starts the next morning, and spends nearly a week tossing seeds all around the cobbled streets and sidewalks. Nothing happens right away; Max begins to give up hope, but then . . . stems and buds and finally flowers bloom all around. The village is transformed into a riot of color and a mélange of lovely aromas. Max becomes a hero, receiving a citation from the mayor. Corderoch’s elaborate watercolor illustrations greatly enhance Elschner’s straightforward tale, whose prose might be out of reach for younger readers. (Picture book. 6-9)

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